UCI rankings: Evans jumps to third, Gilbert remains number one

Tour de Romandie winner Cadel Evans and third-placed rider Alexandre Vinokourov are two of the biggest movers in the latest UCI WorldTour rankings, thanks to their strong performances in the Swiss race.

Evans has jumped from tenth to third in the standings, while Vinokourov moves up a considerable 21 places to tenth overall. Tony Martin, who placed second in the WorldTour event, has moved from twelfth to seventh.

Classic specialist Philippe Gilbert’s recent run of success means he is still well clear at the top of the rankings, having collected 356 points. The Omega Pharma Lotto rider is 120 points clear of Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek), who remains second, and 124 ahead of Evans.

Milan-San Remo winner Matt Goss (HTC Highroad) and Andreas Klöden (Team RadioShack) are fourth and fifth, each being bumped down a place by the Tour de Romandie winner.

Chris Horner (Team RadioShack) and Tom Boonen (Quick Step) slip out of the top ten, going from eight and ninth respectively to eleventh and twelfth.

The effects of Romandie are pronounded in some areas, but the nations’ list remains practically identical to before. In terms of placings, Great Britain’s one-slot move upwards from eleventh is the only change to the top ten. It displaces Luxembourg, but a strong Tour de France campaign by either or both of the Schlecks should see them move the country upwards once again.

Gilbert’s Belgium continues to lead, while Australia, Spain, Italy and Germany are the next in line.

There is more movement in the team’s list, with HTC-Highroad zooming up from fourth place to displace Leopard Trek at the top. Team RadioShack and Omega Pharma Lotto each drop a place, going to third and fourth, while Evans’s BMC Racing Team gains thanks to Romandie and rises three places to fifth.

With the emphasis moving away from one day races and short stage races, the UCI ranking will change less in the weeks ahead. The next WorldTour event is the three-week Giro d'Italia, which begins next Saturday in Turin. It is followed by the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de Suisse.